The Panther football season kicks off Thursday night at O'Brien Field when Eastern Illinois University opens the 2012 season against the Salukis of Southern Illinois University.
It's a "New Era" of EIU football as first-year coach Dino Babers takes over patrol of the Panther sideline from 25-year mainstay Bob Spoo. The matchup is a familiar one, however; EIU and SIU have met 61 times since 1913 and closed the 2011 season against each other in Carbondale.
For a full preview of the game, make sure to check out this story.
